Network Support Engineer

Are you looking for an employer who promotes individual excellence and mutual respect in a team-driven culture with a key focus on social empowerment? The Co-operative Bank of Kenya, “The Kingdom Bank” is the place for those looking to new horizons.

We are looking for dynamic, creative and self oriented professionals to fill the position of:

Network Support Engineer

The successful person will report to the Head – Infrastructure Unit, in the ICT Department. 

Job Summary:

1. Reporting to the Head- Infrastructure, the Network Support Engineer is responsible for:- 
2. Development, implementation, maintenance and administration of the corporate data Network. 
3. Developing, coordinating, and maintaining the network and disaster recovery to ensure uptime and business continuity. 
4. Documenting ICT infrastructure and manages entire inventory. 
5. Analyzing network security needs and assists in developing standards, guidelines and statements of direction for corporate ICT system architectures; Network security administrator.

Main Duties:

• Manages performance of ICT Infrastructure and applications to ensure that the systems work as designed and perform consistently and reliably in order to meet Business SLAs. 
• Monitors ICT Infrastructure performance including SNMP, logs, events and maintenance of general systems health in order to provide proactive remedial support.
• Recommends replacements and acquisition of new  ICT Infrastructure.
• Maintains and updates Network documentation, operating procedures and business continuity policies.
• Develops maintains device access, control policies, data transmission policies, storage policies, Business continuity policies, backup policies, security policies, monitoring profiles, technologies and notification rules that match compliance best practice expectations.
• Plans and implements timely  product upgrades, firewall signature updates and patch releases for all ICT assets
• Manages vendor support contracts for hardware, software and services. Undertakes routine preventive measures and enforces vendor SLAs. 
• Plan and design Network systems that run mission critical business applications.
• Implement and upgrade systems when necessary. 
• Research, advocate, develop and deliver leading edge technology to improve system performance, security and functionality.
• Research and evaluate external technical trends and developments and evolving industry standards concerning technologies affecting networks, security, client/server and other platforms and their application to business systems. Research local and international technology trends in business.
• Act as a thought-leader and consultant on technical planning issues and initiatives.
• Defining and documenting the various architecture components, including hardware platform, operating system, execution, development, operation, distribution and technologies related to networking systems.
• Assist in the planning of short term and long term strategies.
• Attend to system failure and resolve/coordinate resolution of issues.
• Install, support and maintain hardware and software infrastructure
• Provide training and technical support for users with varying levels of ICT knowledge and competence.
• Establish and maintain business relationships with vendors, consultants and other outside entities providing services to the bank. Negotiate contracts and appropriately monitor performance of their services.
• Handle queries from users and resolve problems or advice them accordingly.
• Assess network security risks, evaluate, recommend and implement as necessary.
• Ensure minimal external threat to information resources. 
• Network security administrator.
• Custodian of all remote authentication passwords for all connections to the corporate Network Infrastructure. 
• Assign and oversee responsibility and duties to Networking staff for various Network layers and/or services.
• Manage internal staff and external vendors to ensure that services are delivered promptly with an aim of obtaining zero interruption to business operations. 

Job specification: 

The incumbent will be required to possess the following qualifications, attributes and skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent. 
• Cisco Certified Network Professional CCNP a must.
• Other vendor certifications in Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle/Sun and IBM are highly desirable
• Wide Networking and project management experience with a minimum of 3 years experience in planning, systems analysis, design, support and development of LAN/WAN infrastructure as line or staff management.
• Demonstrated experience integrating systems in multi-user, multi-platform, multitasking operating systems environments such as UNIX, Windows 2003/2008,
• Excellent understanding and working knowledge with TCP/IP, IP Telephony and Firewall appliances.
• General understanding of banking ICT environments.
• Strong dedication and ability to work for long hours.
• Orientation towards rapid delivery of desired results and adhering to a demanding schedule.
• Demonstrated experience working with multivendor infrastructures such as Cisco, IBM and Sun/ Oracle.
• Demonstrated understanding of modern information security threats and competency in developing effective solutions. 
• 35 years and below.

Interested candidates meeting the above criteria should forward an application enclosing detailed Curriculum Vitae accompanied by copies of certificates and indicating the current remuneration to the address shown below by 30th July 2014.

We are an equal opportunity employer.    

Only the short listed candidates will be contacted.   

Please quote this reference on your application and on the envelope: ICT/NSE/7/2014

The Director

Human Resources Division

Co-operative Bank of Kenya Ltd.

P.O. Box 48231-00100

NAIROBI